Snap clamp for electrical conductors



' Aug. 25, 1925. 1,551,253

T. F. JOHNSON, JR

SNAP CLAMP FOR ELECTRICAL GONDUCTORS Filed Sept. 5, 1922 2 at: 5 T v th L I INVEQTO'R T. F Johnson,

ATTORNEY Patented Au 25, 1925.

TOMLINSON FORT JOHNSON, JR., ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

SNAP CLAMPFOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.

Application filed September 5, 1922. Serial No. 586,387.

lowin is a s ecification.

This invention relates to snap clamps or grips for electrical conductors, such as are used on cross country transmission lines and the like, and has for its object the provision of a clamp of this character which is unusually simple in construction and which consists of a minimum number of parts.

The invention is an improvement'on the.

snap clamps shown, described, and claimed, in my two Patents No. 1,172,604 and No. 1,244,339.

, For the purpose of explaining the utility and application of the device, it is stated that the clamp is used for grounding a line when making repairs at certain points in the line, for connecting one line to another in multiple without shutting down the service on either line to make the cut in, for sectionizing lines, for acting as a substitute for pole disconnecting switches, and for various uses as-a jumper between conductors, in addition to other similar purposes.

Clamps of this character are applied by means of a long pole of wood or other insulating materialwhich carries a hook engagable within a hole in the clamp, whereby the device maybe manipulated and engaged upon the current carrying conductor, the device being reversible when disconnecting it from the conductor. a

It is with the above facts in view that I have designed the clamp forming the sub ject matter of the present application, this clamp consisting actually of only three parts having a peculiar pivotal connection, and including a pair of conductor gripping jaws which are spring-pressed into clamping'relation, the spring being, moreover, located at a comparatively, remote point with respect to the conductor, so that the heat which is always generated at the point of contact of the clamp with the conductor will be to a great extent dissipated instead of being conducted too quickly to the spring with possible detriment thereto on account of destruction of the temper.

To the attachment of the foregoing objects and advantages, the invention consists inthe detailed structure to be hereinafter described and illustrated in the drawings, it being, however, understood that the specific construction is merely an exemplification of a preferred form, as the right is reserved to resort to all variations which will widen the field of utility of the device, provided, of course, that such modifications constitute no departure from the salient features or spirit of the invention, or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawingsi Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device;

Figure 2 is an elevation taken at right angles to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section;

Figure .4: is a perspective view of the body member; and

Figure 5 is a similar view of the cooperating jaw member.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the body member of the device, which is formed preferably as acasting and of any material found suitable for the purpose. This casting is of rather irregular shape, as shown, and has one face or side 11 constituting a jaw, this face being inclined or curved, as shown, and formed with a transverse groove 12. One end of the body member is reinforced at 13, and formed with a socket 14: for the reception of the usual flexible conductor, not shown, employed in connection with clamps of this character, and extending into the socket is a set screw 15, which is for the purpose of exerting a clamping action upon the flexible conductor. Intermediate itsends the body member is formed with a relatively large hole 16, which is for the purpose of receiving the horn or hook of the pole commonly used by I workmen in applying devices of this character to a conductor. At a point substantially opposite the hole 16 on the inner side the body member is formed with an elongated projection 17, having a transverse hole 18 therethrough for a purpose to be described, while the other end of the body member is provided with an extension 19 carrying a teat or lug 20, a shelf 29 extending from the extension to the projection 17. j

The relatively movable jaw member of the device consists of an elongated member 21, formed with an opening 22 receiving the projection 17, the outer side being tially V-shaped entrance,

formed at each side of the opening 22 with recesses 23, which receive a pin 24, Which is passed through the hole 18 and operates to hold the members 10 and 21 together while permitting pivotal movement of one with respect to the other. member 21 has an inclined or curved face 25, cooperating with the inclined face 11 of the body 10, to define a substantially V-shaped entrance opening leading to the transverse groove 12, which is for the reception of the current-carrying wire or conductor upon which the device is adapted to be engaged. Opposite the extension 19, the jaw member 21 carries an extension 26 formed with a teat or lug 27. The means for urging the members 10 and 21 into clamping relation consists of a single .coil spring 28, which is disposed between the extensions 19 and 26, and which is pre vented from displacement by engagement of its ends upon the teats or lugs 20 and 27.

From the above it will be seen that the device consists simply of the two main elements, a spring, and the accessory pin and set screw. In assembling the parts, it is apparent that the extension 17 is inserted through the opening 22 in the jaw member 21, the spring being first placed in position, and the parts are held together by means of the pin 24. The spring, of course, acts to urge the jaw member 21 into clamping re lation to the body member 10;

The device is used in exactly the same manner as the clamps of my previous patents and fulfills the same functions, the great feature of advantage being the simplicity and cheapness of manufacture. point well worth noting, however, is that the intermediate portion of the body of the device is of a web-like formation, while the transverse shelf 29 is provided between the conductor-receiving groove 12 and the spring, this detail contributing to the strength of the structure. The location of the spring at the extreme end of the device is important, as the spring is thus removed the greatest possible distance from the point of contact with the conductor, this feature preventing heating of the spring and consequent deterioration thereof, it being well known that heat is invariably generated to a greater or less extent at the point of contact of such a clamp with a conductor. Asthe device is so simple, it is obvious that the cost of production will be small, and

. that there is nothing to get out of order, so

that a long life will be assured.

\Vhat is claimed is j 1. A snap clamp for electrical conductors, comprising a pair of clamping members having their inner ends separated .by a substanthe inner end of one of said members being provided with a conductor receiving socket, the other ends One end of the jaw of said members being each provided with seats, a transversely arranged coiled spring mounted on said seats between said other ends, means for pivotally connecting said members said means being located away from said spring, and a conductor receiving groove in one of said members between the pivoting means and the conductor-receiving socket.

2. A device of the character described comprising a body member and a aw member, thebody member having a shelf, an extension at one end thereof, and a projection on the inner face of the body member, the jaw member being formed with an opening receiving said projection, a pin passing through the projection and seating within recesses in the outer face of the jaw member to constitute a pivot, an extension on the jaw member, and a spring for urging said members into clamping relation, said spring engaging the extensions of the two members. v

3. In a clamp, a pair of clamping members the body member being formed with a conductor-receiving socket and having its active face formed with a transverse groove, a shelf at one end of the member, and an extension at one end of the shelf. said member also having a projection on' its active face, with one wall of the projection in line with the shelf, and the jaw member being formed with an opening receiving said projection, a pin passing through the projection and bearing against the outer face of said jaw member, whereby both members will be pivotally connected, said jaw member being extended beyond the pivot and spaced from the extension of the body member, and a spring fitting in said space and bearing against the extensions of the two members and urging said members into clamping relation.

1. A clamp comprising abody member in a single piece having a groove for a conductor on its inner face, with the end of the member formed at one side with an extension which projects forwardly, a jaw member formed of a single piece having an extension which is arranged opposite the extension of the body member and is spaced therefrom, means for pivotally connecting the two members at an intermediate point of their lengths, a coiled spring arranged in said space at the outer end of the clamp and engaged by said extensions and a transverse shelf on the body member between the spring and the said groove.

5. In a clamp, a pair of clamping members, means for pivot-ing them together at an intermediate point of their lengths, a transverse shelf at one end of the clamp, a pair of extensions at each end of the members and at the ends of the shelf, inwardly extending teats on said extensions, and a. coiled spring engaged at its ends with said teats and bearing against the said extensions and arranged at one end of the clamp.

6. In a clamp, a pair of clamping members, said members being separated by a substantially V-shaped entrance at their inner ends, a groove provided on one of thememhers to receive the conductor, the other memher serving to hold the conductor in said groove, means for pivotally connecting the two members at a point between the clamping engagement With the conductor and the outer ends of the members, a transverse shelf provided on one of the members near its outer end, cooperating extensions formed on the jaws at their outer ends and beyond the pivotal connection, a coiled spring engaging at its ends with said extensions beyond said shelf, and means provided on said extensions for holding the coiled spring in place.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing 2 as my own, I have hereto affixed my signature.

TOMLINSON FORT JOHNSON, JR. 

